Tie tamping or ballasting machine



Sept. 20, 194-9. Q JACKSON 2,482,111

TIE TAMPING OR BALLASTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

3% $5 OD Kama/W vhf/{60x7 5 @zymm Q ATTORNEY TIE TAMPING OR BALLASTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. Jazz /W Mar/raw? Sept. 2% 1949. c. JACKSON TIE TAMPING OR BALLASTING MACHINE 6 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 20, 1947 C. JACKSON TIE TAMPING OR BALLASTING Sept. 20, 1949.

Filed Oct. 20, 1947 MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR. 6' Of'W/// cw/rso/r Sept. 20, W49 c. JACKSON 2,482,111

TIE TAMPING OR BALLASTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. 6 awa /17 c/ar'Aso/y if/a/wzy atented Sept. 20, 1949 TIE TAMPING OR BALLASTING lIACHINE Corwill Jackson, Ludington, Mich., assignor to Jackson Vibrators, Inc., Ludington, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application October 20, 1947, Serial No. 780,952

38 Claims.

2 the .left of the figure, and partially tamped ties in association with the tamper elements.

Fig. 3 is ,a fragmentary view partially in longitudinal section, the stroke of the cross head being machine having .a plurality of tamping units 5 indicated by dotted lines. which may be efiiciently manipulated by a single Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view illusoperator and which performs complete tamptrating tamper units in work engaging position ing operations on a single tie in a highly efficient and partially imbedded in the ballast and showmanner. ing the relation thereof to the rail and a tie, Second, to provide a machine of this class the retracted position of the cross head being which is of very large capacity and performs the shown in dotted lines. .tamping operation more rapidly and more efli- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view further illustrating ciently than a gang of workmen with individual the details of the tamper element and its movetampers being commonly employed to work simulment relative to the ,tie and the ballaster. taneguslynn a single ti Fig. '6 is a fragmentary view still further illus- Third, to provide a machine of this character trating the movement of the tampe b ade 0 e ewhich, while of large capacity, is highly efficient rit relative to the ballast. in the tamping of the ballast under the tie and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the parts thereon especially requiring effective a modified form or embodiment of my invention tamping. in which the unbalanced Vibrating rotors are th, t provide a hi which is driven through the flexible shafting from motors paratively simple in structure and light in weight Carried by th Cross d as s nguished from in comparison t t k performed and t, providing the vibratory units with individual the same time, which is strong and rigid for electricalmotors as in the preferred embodiment. t purpose intended, Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the operating Fifth, to provide'astructure in which the action levers linkage connections with the parts of the tampin elements is entirely auto ti shown in retracted position in full lines as in other than the proper positioning of the machine F 3, certam Operating Positions being further to properly present the tamper elements relative fl by f lmes- A to't'he'tie to betamped, and the raising and low- Fig. 9 18 2., cllagrammatlc view or the parts eringof the cross head or support for the tampw? m Wlth the m head lowered er elements position as shown by full lines, certain of the Sixth, to provide in a machine of the class delietmted posltlons bemg mdlcated by dotted scribed .a tamper unit mounted to permit swinglmes' ing movement longitudinally of the tie and tiltg m patgntghave been lssued to the apph' ing movement relative to the tie so that a ballast on tampmg i f such q f" he Patent No. 2,339,785 1ssued April 29, 1941. is effectively worked under the tie with this com- Th 1 d d t b u d movement while the tamper element is f Imp t are eslgne 0 manna y i manipulated as 1t'1scommon and desn able prac- Vlbrated m i frequepcy 40 tice in track ballasting operation to use a team .Further obdects ltelatuig detafl? and 5 or gang of eight men, each with an implement g 9 the imventlon e 1 me which is held and directed by the operator to scriptlon to follow. The invention is defined 111 work on the ballast at eight different points under the clalmsa railway track tie. The tamping accomplished The drawmgs, of Whlch there i 51X sheets, by the operators shifting the tamping blades to illustrate a preferred iorm of my mVentm-n, in successive positions -.or in successive steps rewhich! quires repeatedwithdrawals and applications un- Se f o perspective View of a machine til the tie is completely tamped in the particular embodying my invention shown in .relation to a Zone assigned t t individual operator a y track and its ballastel, the e p units herently, there is substantial variation in such beingshown'in work enga position. tamping owing to the ability, skill and care of Fig. 2is'a fragmentaryside elevation with the the individual operators. Further, ,it is heavy tamperelements in work-engaging position .illusand arduous work. trating tiesat the right of the figure that have Itis primarily the-object of my present invenbeen 'tamped .or ballastedand .untamped ties at tion to provide amachine including 12 tampers operating in the same zones and controlled by a single operator, and a machine which is highly eflicient, producing uniform results and of very large capacity.

In the accompanying drawing, I represents the rails of a railway track, 2 the ties, and 3 the ballast. The machine of my invention comprises the carriage 4 provided with flanged front and rear wheels 5 and E. In Fig. 1 I illustrate a service car or truck I which is attached to the carriage 3, this being designed to carry the supplies and equipment.

The power plant shown conventionally at 3 is designed to provide driving means for the carriage having hydraulic pressure means, or means for providing a supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The details of these parts and of the drive connections are not illustrated as they form no part of my invention.

Brakes 9 are provided for the wheels, these being operated by the brake mechanism designated generally by the numeral 10, the purpose being to brake a wheel in position to hold the carriage in its adjusting position relative to a tie. I have not illustrated the details of the brake mechanism as such details form no part of this invention. The brake shoes 9 are conventionally shown. The power plant also includes an electric generator.

I will first describe one of the tamping units designated generally by the numeral ll, there being twelve of these tamping units in the embodiment of my invention illustrated. In this preferred embodiment of my invention, the tamping units comprise a housing i2 and the electric motor l3 (See Fig. 2.) The shaft H3 is provided with an unbalancing weight l5, resulting in the vibration of the housing at high frequency, although of comparatively low amplitude. The tamper blades or elements I! are rigidly clamped to the ears l3 projecting from the housing. The tampin blade is provided with a detachable nose piece ill substantially thicker than the blade itself, and having a stepped inclined edge or face I8. It will be noted that the blade is angled at I9, the result being that when the blade is lowered into the work, it automatically tends to swing toward the tie being tamped indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, and also swing longitudinally of the tie as is indicated in Fig. 6. The several figures show the relation of the tamping elements or blades in relation to the work or ballast. These several tamping units are all mounted on the cross head 20. This cross head is mounted for vertical adjustment at the front of the truck to permit operation on a tie in front or in advance of the truck and also so that the operating supports are in full view of the operator. Desirably the cross head is formed of a section of quite heavy pipe.

A beam 2I' projects forwardly from the carriage, this being of such dimension as to be stron and rigid, and is centrally positioned. The upright 22 is desirably in the form of a casting and mounted upon the beam by means of suitable clamps 23. Cross head supporting bars 24 are secured to the cross head by the couplings 25 which rotatably engage the cross head, that is, they permit the tilting of the supporting bars 24 without tilting or rotating the cross head. The rear ends of these supporting bars are pivotally connected to the rocker arms 26 mounted on the rock shaft 21, the connection being shown at 28. The bars are connected by the cross piece 29 which is engaged by the coupling element 30 of 4 the link 3i pivoted at 32 on the upright 22 so that the cross head is guided for movement in a substantially vertical plane.

To mount the cross head, the cross head is provided with a plurality of cross arms 33 spaced [longitudinally of the cross head and secured thereto by the brackets 34 which are secured to the cross head by the clamps 35. To maintain the cross head in upright position or against rotating, the cross head is provided with arms 36 which are connected by the links 31 and 38 to the rocker arms 39 on the shaft 27. These links 3? and 38 are pivotally connected at 49 and are supported by the arms 4! pivoted on the carriage at 12 and pivotally connected to the links 38 and 43. This allows the vertical Swinging movement of the cross head while maintaining the cross head in upright position; that is, maintaining its cross arms 33 substantially horizontal throughout the stroke of the cross head. The cross head is raised and lowered by manually controlled hydraulic means conventionally illustrated in the drawin as comprising a cylinder 44 mounted on the carriage at 45 and the plungers 48 connected to the cross head supporting bars 24 at 41 as is clearly shown in Fig. 7.

The control post 48 is positioned conveniently relative to the seat 59, a valve designated generally by the numeral 50 provided with a control lever 5| controlling the delivery of fluids to and from the source of fluid under pressure, the supply conduit 52 being conventionally illustrated. The return conduit 53 and the delivery conduit are connected to the cylinders 44. When it is desired to lift the cross head, the valve is adjusted to permit fluid under pressure to fiow into the cylinders and when the cross head is lowered to the work, the valve is shifted to exhaust the cylinders and allow the fluid to flow into the pump. As stated, this is not illustrated. With this arrangement, the cross head may be very quickly raised and lowered and when lowered, the thrust of the cross head is delivered to the several tamping units. The tamping units themselves have substantial weight and the weight of the cross head assembly is in the commercial embodiment in the neighborhood of two thousand pounds.

In the embodiment illustrated, the vibratory tamper units are mounted to permit the compound movement of the tamper elements or blade as I have described. This mounting illustrated comprises cross pieces 55 and 56 secured to the ends of the housing or projecting from the ends of the housing and carrying the flexible nonextensible straps 57. These straps are desirably formed of quite heavy rubber impregnated belting material and while they permit tilting of the tamper units, they are effective as vibration and shock absorbers.

The hanger yokes 58 are bolted to the straps 51 intermediate the ends thereof as is shown in Fig. 2, for example, and these hanger yokes are provided with cars 59 to which the hanger arms 60 are bolted; that is, the arms being pivoted at El to the brackets 62 on the cross head arms 33. These cross head arms are provided with longitudinal slots 63 receiving the bolts 64 on the brackets for adjustably securing the brackets in position, set screws 65 also being desirably provided to further secure the brackets. These brackets, being adjustable, properly space the opposed pairs of tamping units. With this mounting, the tamping units are suspended from the cross heads so that while the thrust of the cross head is applied thereto on the down stroke, the tamping units may swing when; their blades engage the work to engage the ballast under the tie being tamped, and also swing longitudinally tov compact the ballast under the portion of the tie directly below the rail as is indicated in Fig. 4.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, I employ twelve tampers. These are arranged in sets of. six, one pair of tampers being within the rail and two. pairs outside of the rail. This results in a very thorough tamping of the ballast in the zones where tamping is desired. It is commonly not desired to tamp the ballast under the tie at. the center thereof as it is desirable that the ballast should be somewhat loose to provide drainage. When the cross head is retracted, the tamper units swing to a substantially vertical position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6.

To prevent swinging upon this vertical position, straps 6B are provided, these being connected at 61 to the cross arms and at E8 to the tamper units. When the cross head is lowered, the tamper blades remain in substantially vertical position until their ends engage the work, when they are swung inwardly and laterally as described, efiectively working the ballast under the tie and under the rail supporting portion thereof.

To prevent the adjacent tamper units of the two outer pairs becoming engaged, the hanger arms 60 are provided with upward extensions 69 connected by the straps it; that is, straps preventing clashing engagement. The tamper unit housings and the blade for tamper elements carried thereby are vibrated at high frequency by the electric motor l3, each motor being provided with a connection indicated at H to a source of power. As stated, the power unit is desirably provided with a generator, a gas engine being desirably employed as the primer motor for the pump and generator. The several motors are controlled from switch boxes 12. These are conveniently positioned for the operator. The details of these switches are not illustrated.

As stated, the tamper blades are vibrated at high frequency as they are lowered into the work with the result that the ballast is very effective- 1y tamped under compact eliminating voids and working it upwardly under the tie in supporting engagement therewith. Frequently, additional ballast is supplied to old road beds as indicated at 13 and a new ballast at M. The old ballast (that is, ballast which has been installed for a considerable time) collects dirt and the like and frequently has a very hard cement like surface where a new ballast is applied to the old. The vibratory tamping elements or blades of my machine effectively break this hard crust and loosen up the old ballast, which is a very desirable feature, re-working and compactin it with the new ballast. This is a highly advantageous feature and unless very severe compacted conditions are present, it is not necessary to employ machines or men with picks to loosen the old ballast.

In the transporting the machine from place to place, it is desirable to support the cross head in elevated position as shown in Fig. 3. To this end, I provide the post 15 mounted on the front endof the beam 2|, the post being provided with a vertically adjustable sleeve like rest 16 having a lug Tl engageable with a hole 78 in the ear 19 on the cross head as shown in Fig. 3.

A pin 80 is provided to engage one of the bores 8t inv the post. To facilitate removing of the machine from the track, I provide a jack designat'ed. generally by the numeral 82- and having an adjustable foot piece 83'which may be extended as conditions render desirable. The jack illustrated is a hydraulic jack comprising a pump designated generally by the numeral 84. Details are not illustrated, as they form no part of this invention. This jack is mounted on the front end of the beam 2| by means of the bracket 85 and its upper end is supported by a bracket 86 on the upper end of the post 15.

It is sometimes desired to lift the machine by a hoist or crane to facilitate positioning on the track or removal from the track and to that end I- mount a clevice 90' on the upper end of the upright 22.

In Fig. '7 I illustrate a modified form or embodiment of my invention. The tamping unit of that embodiment differs primarily from the tamper units described in that the unbalanced rotors 9t comprise shafts 92 driven by the flexible shafts 93 connected to the ends of a shaft 94 of the electric motor 95 which is mounted on the cross head, each electric motor 95 driving the unbalanced rotors of a pair of tamper units. The flexible shafts 93 are supported on the cross arms 33 of the cross head 29 by means of the arm like brackets 96. The motors 95 are provided with bases Bl secured to the cross head by means of the clamps 98.

The housings for the unbalanced rotors are mounted in the same manner as the housings containing the electric motors of the preferred embodiments. In this modified form a single motor serves the purpose of two motors in the preferred embodiment by the continuous flexing of the flexible shafts during the operation, subjecting them to considerable wear. They are also subjected to considerable vibration, at least their ends adjacent the tamping units.

Use of the machines embodying my invention not only insures better and more uniform tamping than results from manually manipulated tampers, but the machine is of a very large capacity.

To quickly and accurately position the machine relative to the work, I provide a manually operated drive shaft 99 having a hand Wheel I00 and having drive connection to the front axle. As many strokes of the cross head may be had as desired, although commonly two strokes are sumcient to properly work the ballast under the tie.

Inasmuch as the tamper blades swing to substantially vertical position when the cross head is retracted, it will be appreciated that the tamper blades engage new material when they are lowered in the second or succeeding strokes, thereby effectively, moving or forcing the material under the tie. Vibrations are set up in the ballast at substantial distances from the blades so that substantially the entire mass of ballast adjacent a tie being tamped is vibrated and compacted, and the material is forced under the tie and upwardly against the under side thereof as is indicated in: Fig. 2.

The beam-2i limits the down stroke of the cross head" and is preferably provided with a buffer I02 although in practice it is ordinarily necessary or desirable that the cross head be lowered into engagement with the buffer. It does, however, serve as a stop in the event the operator fails to" retract the cross head at the proper time.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have diagrammatically i1lustrated the relationship of the levers and linkage assemblies, in Fig. 8 with the crosshead in fully retracted position and in Fig. 9 in the lowered position, as indicated by. fulllines intermediate 7 positions being indicated by dotted lines. The linkage is such that the crosshead travels in an are as indicated at B. This movement is indicated by full and dotted lines in Fig. 3 and the parts are shown in different positions of operative adjustment in other figures.

It will be understood that control is such that the cross head can be stopped by the operator at any desired point so as to permit the desired vibratory action on the ballast to eliminate voids and suitably compact the same.

I have illustrated and described my invention in highly practical embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate further modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a centrally disposed beam projecting forwardl from the carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed at the front of said upright and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross arms, supporting bars on which said cross head is rotatably mounted, rocker arms on said carriage to which the rear ends of said supporting bars are pivotally connected, a cross bar extending between said supporting bars at the rear of said upright, a link pivotally mounted on said upright and pivotally connected to said cross bar, manually controlled hydraulic means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars connected thereto adjacent said cross bar, means for maintaining said cross head in upright position in various positions of adjustment thereof comprising an arm on said cross head, a rocker arm on said carriage, a pair of pivotally connected links, one link being connected to said arm on said cross head and the other to said rocker arm, and a supporting arm pivotally mounted on said carriage and pivotally connected to the rear link of the pair adjacent the pivotal connection of the links, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross head arms in opposed pairs.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a centrally disposed beam projecting forwardly from the carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed at the front of said upright and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross arms, supporting bars on which said cross head is rotatably mounted, rocker arms on said carriage to which the rear ends of said supporting bars are pivotally connected, a cross bar extending between said supporting bars at the rear of said upright, a link pivotally mounted on said upright and pivotally connected to said cross bar, manually controlled hydraulic means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars connected thereto adjacent said cross bar, means for maintaining said cross head in upright position in various positions of adjustment thereof, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross head arms in opposed pairs.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, an upright carried by said carriage, a cross head provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross arms, supporting bars on which said cross head is rotatably mounted, rocker arms on said carriage to which the rear ends of said supporting bars are pivotally connected, a cross bar extending between said supporting bars, a link pivotally mounted on said upright and pivotally connected to said cross bar, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars, means for maintaining said cross head in upright positions in various positions of adjustment thereof comprising an arm on said cross head, a rocker arm on said carriage, a pair of pivotally connected links, one link being connected to said arm on said cross head and the other to said rocker arm, and a supporting arm pivotally mounted on said carriage and pivotally connected to the rear link of the pair adjacent the pivotal connection of the links, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross head arms in opposed pairs.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a centrally disposed beam projecting forwardly from the carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed at the front of said upright and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross arms, supporting bars on which said cross head is rotatably mounted, rocker arms on said carriagc to which the rear ends of said supporting bars are pivotally connected, a cross bar extending between said supporting bars, a link pivotally mounted on said upright and pivotally connected to said cross bar, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross head arms in opposed pairs.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a centrally disposed beam projecting forwardly from the carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed at the front of said upright, supporting bars on which said cross head is rotatably mounted, rocker arms on said carriage to which the rear ends of said supporting bars are pivotally connected, a cross bar extending between said supporting bars at the rear of said upright, a link pivotally mounted on said upright and pivotally connected to said cross bar, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars, means for maintaining said cross head in upright position in various positions of adjustment thereof, and vibratory tampers mounted on said cross head.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a centrally disposed beam projecting forwardly from the carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed at the front of said upright, supporting bars on which said cross head is mounted, rocker arms on said carriage to which the rear ends of said supporting bars are pivotally connected, a link pivotally mounted on said upright and pivotally connected to said cross bar, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars, and vibratory tampers mounted on said cross head, said beam projecting under and limiting the downward stroke of the cross head.

'7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a cross :head disposed at the front :of :said carriage and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross arms, vertically swingable supporting bars on which said cross head is rotatably mounted, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars, means for maintaining said cross head in upright position in "various positions of adjustment thereof, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross arms in opposed pairs.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a cross head disposed at the front of said carriage and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross arms, vertically swingable supporting bars for said cross head is rotatably mounted, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head supporting bars, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross arms in opposed pairs.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a beam projecting forwardly from said carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed transversely of the path of travel of the carriage above said beam, an upright on said beam, a supporting bar for said cross head, a rocker arm on said carriage to which the rear end of said supporting bar is pivotally connected, a link conection from said upright to said bar, means for raising and lowering said cross head, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross head for swinging movement laterally and longitudinally relative to the cross head.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel upon the rails of a railway track, a beam projecting forwardly from said carriage, an upright on said beam, a cross head disposed transversely of the path of travel of the carriage above said beam, an upright on said beam, a supporting bar for said cross head, a rocker arm on said carriage to which the rear end of said supporting bar is pivotally connected, a link connection from said upright to said bar, means for raising and lowering said cross head, said beam limiting the downward stroke of the cross head, and vibratory tamper units swingably mounted on said cross head for swinging movement laterally and longitudinally relative to the orosshead.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head provided with a plurality of spaced cross arms mounted at the front of the carriage transversely of its path of travel and for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a plurality of pairs of vibratory units, each unit comprising a housing, and a motor within said housing having an unbalanced rotor disposed with its axis in transverse relation to the cross head, and a tamper element fixedly mounted on the inner end of said housing to be vibrated therewith, hangers for said vibratory tamping units pivotally mounted on said cross arms to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage and flexibly connected to said vibratory unit housings, said tamper elements having inwar ly inclined work engaging portions provided with laterally inclined stepped edges whereby engagement of the tamper elements with the work tends to swing the units of the pairs toward each lit) other and also to swing them laterally, there being a pair of said tamper units at the inner side of each rail of a track and two pairs at the outer side of each rail, the pivoted hangers for the corresponding units of the outer pair being flexibly connected to limit their swinging movement toward each other, and flexible connections forieac-h unit toits supportingcross head arm limiting the swinging movement of the unit to a substantially vertical position when the cross head is in retracted position.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head provided with a plurality of spaced cross arms mounted at the front of the carriage transversely of its path of travel and for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a plurality of pairs of vibratory units, each unit comprising a housing, and a motor within said housing having an unbalanced rotor disposed with its axis in transverse relation to the cross head, and a tamper element fixedly mounted on the inner end of said housing to be vibrated therewith, hangers for said vibratory tamping units pivotally mounted on said cross arms to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage and flexibly connected to said vibratory unit housings, :said tamper elements having inwardly inclined work engaging portions provided with laterally inclined stepped edges whereby engagement of the tamper elements with the work tends to swing the units of the pairs toward each other and also to swing them laterally.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head provided with a plurality of spaced cross arms mounted at the front of the carriage transversely of its path of travel and for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head,

a plurality of pairs of vibratory units, each unit comprising a housing, and a motor within said housing having an unbalanced rotor disposed with its axis in transverse relation to the cross head, and a tamper element fixedly mounted on I the inner end of said housing to be vibrated therewith, hangers for said vibratory tamping units pivotally mounted on said cross arms to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage and flexibly connected to said vibratory unit housings, there being a pair of said tamper units at the inner side of each rail of a track and two pairs at the outer side of each rail, the pivoted hangers for the corresponding units of the outer pair being flexibly connected to limit their swinging movement toward each other, and

flexible connections for each unit :to its support ing cross head arm limiting the swinging movement of .the unit to a substantially vertical position when the cross head is in retracted position.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head provided with a plurality of spaced cross arms mounted at the frontof thecarriage transversely of its path of travel and for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a plurality of pairs of vibratory units, each unit comprising a housing, and a motor within said housing having an unbalanced rotor disposed with its axis in transverse relation to the cross head, and a tamper element fixedly mounted on the inner end of said housing to be vibrated therewith, and hangers for said vibratory tamping units pivotally mounted on said cross arms to swing transversely of the path of travel of 11 the carriage and flexibly connected to said vibratory unit housings.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted at the front of the carriage for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, pairs of tamper units carried by said cross head, said tamper comprising a housing and an unbalanced rotor, and having cross pieces at the ends of the housing, a tamper element mounted on the inner end of the housing, flexible supporting and vibration absorbing straps disposed at the sides of the housing with their ends connected to said cross pieces, hanger yokes connected to said straps intermediate and in spaced relation to their connection to said cross pieces, said hanger yokes being provided arms pivotally mounted on said cross head, flexible straps connected to said cross head and said tamper units to limit the swinging movement thereof in one direction, the tamper elements having angularly disposed work engaging portions and inclined stepped edges whereby engagement with the work tends to swing them laterally towards the rails and convergingly inward, there being a pair of tamper units at the inner sides of each rail and two tamper units at the outer side of each rail, the suspending arms of the outer pairs of tamper units projecting upwardly above their pivots and being connected by flexible straps limiting the independent transverse swinging movement thereof.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted at the front of the carriage for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, pairs of tamper units carried by said cross head, said tamper unit comprising a housing and an unbalanced rotor, and having cross pieces at the ends of the housing, a tamper element mounted on the inner end of the housing, flexible supporting and vibration absorbing straps disposed at the sides of the housing with their ends connected to said cross pieces, hanger yokes connected to said straps intermediate and in spaced relation to their connection to said cross pieces, said hanger yokes being provided with arms pivotally mounted on said cross head, flexible straps connected to said cross head and said tamper units to limit the swinging movement thereof in one direction, the tamper elements having angularly disposed work engaging portions and inclined stepped edges whereby engagement with the work tends to swing them laterally towards the rails and convergingly inward, there being a pair of tamper units at each side of each rail.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted at the front of the carriage for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, pairs of tamper units carried by said cross head, said tamper comprising a housing and an unbalanced rotor, and having cross pieces at the ends of the housing, a tamper element mounted on the inner end of the housing, flexible supporting and vibration absorbing straps disposed at the sides of the housing with their ends connected to said cross pieces, hanger yokes connected to said straps intermediate and in spaced relation to their connection to said cross pieces, said hanger yokes being provided arms pivotally mounted on said cross head, flexible straps connected to said cross head and said tamper units to limit the swinging movement thereof in one direction, the tamper elements having angularly disposed work engaging portions and inclined stepped edges whereby engagement with the work tends to swing them laterally towards the rails and convergingly inward, there being a pair of tamper units at each side of each rail.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted on the carriage transversely of its path of travel and for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a plurality of pairs of vibratory tamping units, each unit comprising a support, a vibrating means on said support, and a tamper element mounted on said support to be vibrated therewith, hangers for said vibratory tamping units pivotally mounted on said cross head to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage, said vibratory unit supports being swingably connected to said hangers to swing longitudinally of the path of travel of the carriage.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted on the carriage transversely of its path of travel and for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a plurality of pairs of vibratory tamping units, each unit comprising a support, a vibrating means on said support, and a tamper element mounted on said support to be vibrated therewith, hangers for said vibratory tamping units pivotally mounted on said cross head to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage, said vibratory unit supports being swingably connected to said hangers to swing longitudinally of the path of travel of the carriage, said tamper elements having inclined work engaging portions whereby engagement of the tamper elements with the work tends to swing the units inwardly and laterally.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, and vibratory tamping units mounted in opposed pairs on said cross head and comprising body members having unbalanced rotors mounted thereon with their axis in transverse relation to the cross head, hangers for said body members pivotally mounted on said cross head to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage, non-extensible flexible shock absorbing connections for said body members to said hangers permitting the tilting movement of the body members transversely of the swinging movement of said hangers, said tamper elements being mounted on said body members for vibration therewith, and being provided with inwardly directed work engaging portions having laterally inclined edges whereby engagement of the tamper elements with the work tends to swing the tamper elements of the pairs toward each other and also laterally in one direction.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, and vibratory tamping units mounted in opposed pairs on said cross head and comprising body members having unbalanced rotors mounted thereon with their axis in transverse relation to the cross head, hangers for said body members pivotally mounted on said cross head to swing transversely of the path of travel of the carriage, non-extensible flexible shock absorbing connections for said body members to said hangers permitting the tilting movement of the body members trans- 13 versel-y of rthetswinging movement -:ofrsaid hangers, said tamper elements being mounted on saidbody members for vibration therewith.

.22. In .a machine :of the class :described, the combination with a carriage of a cross head mounted thereon for vertical adjustment, means for raising and loweringsaidcross headmibratory tamper units disposed in opposed pairs and comprising body members and unbalanced :rotors carried lthereby, and a tamper element carried by the body member and subjected to the Vibration rthereof, hangers for said vibratory units swingablymounted on said cross heads to swing transversely of the path of :travel of the-carriage, non-extensible straps disposed at'thesides of said body members and secured at their ends thereto, said hangers being connected to-said-straps intermediate their ends, the itamper i-el-ements being disposed to engage "the work at such angle that the work tends to swing the pairs toward each other, and longitudinally of a tie, there being one pair of tamper units .at the inner side of a ra'il being tamped and two pair at the :outer side thereof, corresponding tamper units of the outer pairs beingconnectedto limit the swinging movement thereof.

.23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of a cross head mounted thereon for vertical adjustment, means for raising and lowering said cross head, vibratory tamper units disposed in opposed pairs and comprising body members and unbalanced rotors carried thereby, and a tamper element-carried by the body member and subjected to the vibration thereof, hangers for said vibratory units swingably mounted cn-said cross heads to swing trans verselyof the path of travel of the carriage,;nonextensible straps disposed at the sides :of said body members and secured atitheir ends thereto, said hangers being connected to said straps intermediate their ends.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, pairs of vibratory tamper units carried by said cross head each including a driven unbalanced rotor and each having a tamper element, hangers on said cross head having vibration absorbing connection to said tamper units, said hangers and connections permitting the tamper elements to simultaneously swing toward a tie between the tamper elements of the pair and laterally toward a rail, the work engaging portions of the tamper elements being conformed to automatically promote such combined swinging movement when the tamper elements are lowered into the engagement with the work and while subjected to the thrust of the cross head.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage, of a cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, pairs of vibratory tamper units carried by said cross head each including a driven unbalanced rotor and each having a tamper element, hangers on said cross head having vibration absorbing connection to said tamper units, said hangers and connections permitting the tamper elements to simultaneously swing toward a tie between the tamper elements of the pair and laterally toward a rail.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of a cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, pairs of vibratory tamper units carried by said cross head each including a driven unbalanced rotor and each having a tamper element, hangers on said cross head, tiltable vibration absorbing ='connections for said :tamper unit to said hangers permitting the tamper elements to simultaneously swing toward a tie between the tamper elements of the .pair and laterally, motors mounted on said cross head, and flexible driving connections for the shafts of each motor to a pair of tamper units.

2']. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of a cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, pairs of vibratory tamper units carriedby said cross head 'each including a driven unbalanced rotor :and each having a tamper element, hangers on said cross head, and tiltable vibration absorbing connections for said tamper unit to said hangers permitting the tamper elements to simultaneously swing toward a tie between the tamper elements of the pair and laterally.

.28. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of a cross head mounted for vertical adjustment, a pair of vibratory tamper units carried by said cross head having a tamper eicment,-hangers on saidcross head, and swingable vibration absorbing connections for said tamper units to said hangers permitting the tamper elements to simultaneously swing toward a tie between the tamper elements of the pair and laterally toward a rail, the work engaging portions of the tamper elements being conformed to automatically promote such combined swinging movement when the tamper elements are lowered into the engagement with the work and while subjected to the thrust of the cross head.

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a carriage of a cross "head mounted for vertical adjustment, a pair of tamper units carried by said cross headan-d each having a tamper element, hangers on said cross head, and universally swingable shock :absorbing connections for said tamper unit to said hangers permitting the tamper elements to simultaneously swing toward a tie between the tamper elements of the pair and laterally toward a rail.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a carriage adapted for travel longitudinally of a railway track, a cross head mounted on said carriage for vertical adjustment, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head, outer and intermediate tamper units carried by said cross head, and means for tiltably and swingably supporting said tamper units from said cross head.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a carriage adapted for travel longitudinally of a railway track, manually controlled means for manipulating said carriage relative to the track, a cross head mounted on said carriage for vertical adjustment, manually controlled means for raising and lowering said cross head, outer and intermediate tamper units carried by said cross head, and means for tiltably and swingably supporting said tamper units from said cross head, the tamper units being mounted so that tamper elements are in approximately vertical position when presented to the work.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a vertically adjustable support translatable along a railway track, an opposed pair of vibratory tamping units each including tamping blades, means for vibrating said tamping elements at high frequency, swingable vibration absorbing connections for said tamping units to said support permitting simultaneous swinging and tilting movement thereof transversely and longitudinally of a railway tie being tamped, the work engaging portion of the tamping blade being conformed to facilitate movement in both directions when engaged with the work.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a vertically adjustable support translatable along a railway track, an opposed pair of vibratory tamping units each including tamping blades, means for vibrating said tamping elements at high frequency, and swingable vibration absorbing connections for said tamping units to said support permitting the swinging and tilting movement thereof transversely and longitudinally of a railway tie being tamped.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a vertically adjustable support translatable along a railway track, a vibratory tamping element, means for vibrating said tamping element at high frequency, a vibration absorbing connection for said tamping element to said support permitting the swinging and tilting movement thereof transversely and longitudinally of a railway tie being tamped, the work engaging portion of the tamping element being conformed to facilitate simultaneous movement in both directions when engaged with the work, the connection of the tamping element to the support acting to suspend the tamping element in substantially vertical position when the support is retracted.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a vertically adjustable support translatable along a railway track, a vibratory tamping element, means for vibrating said tamping element at high frequency, a vibration absorbing connection for said tamping element to said support permitting the swinging and tilting movement thereof transversely and longitudinally of a railway tie being tamped.

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cross head mounted to be translated along a railway track and for vertical adjustment, and a plurality of vibratory tamping units suspended from said cross head for free swinging movement of the tamping elements toward a tie being tamped and simultaneously toward a rail of the track, each tamping unit being independently vibrated and being subject to the thrust of the cross head while permitting swinging and tilting thereof.

37. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cross head mounted to be translated along a railway track and for vertical adjustment, and a plurality of vibratory tamping units suspended from said cross head for free swinging movement of the tamping elements toward a tie being tamped and simultaneously toward a rail of the track.

38. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a tamping unit provided with means for vibrating at high frequency, and having a blade like tamping element, the work engaging end of which is inwardly inclined relative to a tie being tamped and the work engaging edge of which is inclined downwardly relative to a rail with which the tie is associated, and vertically adjustable supporting means on which the tamping unit is swingably mounted to permit simultaneous swinging movement towards and longitudinally of a tie being tamped.

CORWILL JACKSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,627,481 Clapp May 3, 1927 1,727,114 Oechsle Sept. 3, 1929 1,908,959 Cullen et a1 May 16, 1933 

